HEWORTH ARLC suffered a setback in their rise up the National Conference division two table as they lost 26-2 away to a strong Saddleworth Rangers side.

The result brought to an end Heworth's six-match unbeaten run, but they remain third in the standings as neither of the two teams directly below them won, Saddleworth leapfrogging both.

The match was played in wet, blustery conditions, and Heworth's inability to retain the ball counted against them greatly in the first half.

They went ahead with an eighth-minute penalty by Carl Potter but three penalties by Michael Coates, plus one missed by Potter, and a converted try out wide by winger Fraser Coley saw the hosts go 12-2 in front by the half-hour mark.

Prop Sam Clarke and captain Dan Briggs had worked hard as the Villagers nevertheless stayed in the game, but a poor ten-minute spell before half-time effectively ended their challenge.

Saddleworth substitute Jon Horton ran through a static defence to score a converted try wide out, and second-rower Simon Parish crossed from an overlap after Heworth had coughed up possession, making it 22-2 at the interval.

Heworth's heads did not drop, and they were a good match for the home team in the second half but without being able to get on the scoresheet again.

Centre Jon Jewitt did cross after a strong 30-metre race to the line but he was denied by the referee for allegedly not grounding the ball properly, and home stand-off Coates completed the hosts' scoring when pouncing on a kick to the line.

Clarke was Heworth's man of the match, with loose-forward Tom Kilgallon starring for Saddleworth. Heworth were also well-served by their loose-forward, Luke Judson, hooker Potter and player-coach Chris Smith.